The applicability of a color acetate film for estimating photosynthetic photon flux density in a forest understory

The suitability of a color acetate film for estimating photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in a forest understory was examined. The fading ratio of the film (F), the total PPFD (PPFD_total) to which the film was exposed, and the average daily maximum temperature during exposure (T) were obtained from measurements at multiple sampling points throughout an entire year within a natural secondary forest (n = 42). The ranges of the recorded values were as follows: F 35%–99%, PPFD_total 1.4–28.3molm^–2, and T 6°–32°C. PPFD_total was regressed by F and T with a high r ² (=0.94; P < 0.0001): PPFD_total = (100 – F)/(1.085 + 0.051T). The absolute error (|estimated PPFD_total – measured PPFD_total|) averaged 1.3molm^–2 with a maximum of 5.7molm^–2, indicating a good fit. These results indicated broad applicability of the film, both spatially and temporally, for estimating forest understory PPFD.     

Soil respiration and soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentration in a tropical forest,Thailand

Soil respiration and soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration were investigated in a tropical monsoon forest in northern Thailand, from 1998 to 2000. Soil respiration was relatively high during the rainy season and low during the dry season, although interannual fluctuations were large. Soil moisture was widely different between the dry and wet seasons, while soil temperature changed little throughout the year. As a result, the rate of soil respiration is determined predominantly by soil moisture, not by soil temperature. The roughly estimated annual soil respiration rate was 2560gCm^–2year^–1. The soil CO₂ concentration also increased in the rainy season and decreased in the dry season, and showed clearer seasonality than soil respiration did.     

Minimum distance boundary method: maximum size-density lines for unthinned <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> plantations in South Sumatra,Indonesia

A minimum-distance boundary method that will minimize the sum of distances between measured points and a fitted self-thinning lines on log–log coordinates of stand density and quadratic mean diameter was proposed in order to estimate the maximum size density line: an upper boundary of self-thinning line. The lines for A. mangium were inferred with this method using data in two areas of unthinned plantations in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Slopes of the lines were deduced as –1.63 and –1.67 within the range of 10–21cm of quadratic mean dbh. The intensity of self-thinning was examined as a rate of reduction of density in relation to dbh increment. The rates were found to be higher than the slopes in the range close to the maximum line; hence the lines inferred in this study were likely existent. Maximum basal area deduced from the size-density line was 28–30m²/ha at 12cm of dbh and then it increased up to 34–37m²/ha at 20cm of dbh.     

Estimation of the biomass of fine roots and mycorrhizal fungi: a case study in a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) stand

As part of a study on soil carbon flow in forest ecosystems, the biomass of fine roots (2.0mm in diameter) and root-associated fungi, including ectomycorrhizal fungi, were estimated in the summer season in 1998 at a Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) stand in western Japan. Fine roots of pine were classified into three categories: class I roots (0.5–2.0mm in diameter), long class II roots (long roots with diameter 0.5mm; II_L), and short class II roots (short roots with diameter 0.5mm; II_S). Total biomass of fine roots (I + II_L + II_S) at this stand was estimated to be 91.0gm^–2, about 23% of which was class II roots (II_L + II_S). Ergosterol, which is a component of fungal membranes, was analyzed to estimate the biomass of root-associated fungi in roots. In the upper soil layers (from the surface to 13.4cm in depth), ergosterol contents in the class I, II_L and II_S roots were in the ranges 43.1–82.2, 126.1–196.3 and 271.2–321.0µgg^–1 root DW, respectively. The ergosterol content was converted to fungal biomass using the median (minimum–maximum) value of ergosterol concentration reported for ectomycorrhizal fungi. Root-associated fungal biomass in this stand was estimated to be 2.0 (0.5–9.6) gm^–2. The data suggest the biomass of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the P. densiflora stand is small compared with that in other forest ecosystems.     

Gamma radiation sensitivity of larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolium castaneum</Emphasis> Herbst

In this study, the susceptibility of larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to gamma radiation was investigated in the laboratory in Turkey. Gamma radiation was applied at 6 dose levels between 20 and 200Gy to 13–15day-old adults and at 5 dose levels between 20 and 180Gy to 18–20day-old larvae of T. castaneum. All experiments were performed in growth chambers maintained at 27±1°C and 70±5% r.h. The larvae proved to be the more susceptible stage, survival to the adult stage being prevented by exposure of the eggs to 100Gy; the adult stage was less susceptible. LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ values were determined as 19,75 and 42,97Gy for larvae and 33,21 and 64,50Gy for adult stage, respectively. It was concluded that 100Gy is the effective dose for both larval and adult stages.     

Nitrogen use by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> trees growing on a Mt. Fuji lava flow

To quantify the nitrogen (N) use by Pinus densiflora trees growing on an infertile lava surface, N pools, N requirement and N uptake through fine roots and N deposition from the atmosphere were estimated. The N requirement and the N uptake of fine roots were 55.5kgNha^–1year^–1 and 39.7kgNha^–1, respectively. Thus, the ratio of N uptake to N requirement of the fine roots was 71.5%. Including fine-root contribution, the total N requirement of the P. densiflora trees was 98.6kgNha^–1year^–1, and the total N uptake was 64.2kgNha^–1year^–1. Thus, the N uptake of the P. densiflora trees was 64.1% of the N requirement, indicating that P. densiflora trees growing on an infertile lava surface obtain some of their N from below-ground organic material layers every year and the contribution of N storage in trees for their growth is not any higher than indicated in previous reports that excluded fine-roots contribution. The wet N deposition of our research forest was only 5.8% of the N requirement of the P. densiflora trees and only 8.9% of the N uptake. Movement of the below-ground organic material layer N concentrations in the F- and L-layers coincides with needle development and fine-root growth, suggesting the possibility that P. densiflora trees extract N from the organic N of those layers for growth.     

Direct estimation of carbon mass of organic layer from dry weight

The organic layer is an important carbon pool in the forest ecosystem but has sometimes been underestimated or ignored. An equation estimating the carbon mass of the organic layer from its dry weight was developed using a dataset collected from various forests in Japan. The equation (logC = –0.393 + 1.031logW, where C is the carbon mass of the organic layer per unit area and W is the dry weight of organic layer per unit area) could be used to estimate the carbon mass of the organic layer with a small error (R ² = 0.986, n = 67). The factor that converts organic matter to carbon was also examined. The factor of 1.89 ± 0.23 was suitable for the organic layer.     

Soil physical and micronutrient changes following clearing of a tropical rainforest

One of the options for achieving an adequate food supply in tropical Africa is by bringing more land into production. This often requires clearing and developing new vegetation areas for agricultural production. In sub-Saharan Africa, large areas of forest are being cleared for cultivation without adequate knowledge as to the consequences of the clearing method employed. This study was therefore initiated to, among other objectives, assess the effects of some forest clearing methods on soil compaction, texture, and micronutrients. Treatments were the following five clearing methods: (1) mechanical (MC), (2) semi-mechanical (SMC), (3) slash and burn (manual) (SB), (4) mechanical – no planting (MCNP), and (5) slash and burn – no planting (SBNP). After clearing, we planted maize and cowpea in every other row during the first year, and planted maize and cassava during the second year in the plots of treatments 1–3. Changes in soil texture, bulk density, and exchangeable Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu were determined. Soil bulk density increased (with depth) in all treatments from the intitial (0–15cm) level of 1.1gcm^–3 to between 1.27 and 1.39gcm^–3 2 years after clearing, with the highest levels occurring in the MC plots. This indicated that clearing was accompanied by soil compaction. Some changes were noted in soil textural composition, but these were not of practical significance. Exchangeable Mn, Fe, and Cu (0–15cm) decreased markedly after clearing, especially under MC in the first year. Zinc levels changed little during the study period. The decline in micronutrient levels was paralleled by a decline in soil organic carbon.     

Sapling architecture and growth in the co-occurring species Castanopsis cuspidata and Quercus glauca in a secondary forest in western Japan

This study quantitatively compared the sapling (height 62–289cm) architecture and growth of Castanopsis cuspidata and Quercus glauca, both of which are major components in the temperate zone of western Japan, under shaded light conditions in secondary forest. When the sapling architectures were compared at the same support mass (trunk + branch mass), C. cuspidata had a larger crown area but a smaller height gain than did Q. glauca owing to the allocation of more biomass to lateral branches in C. cuspidata. The above-ground relative growth rate (RGR) of C. cuspidata (0.442gg^–1 year^–1) was nearly twice that of Q. glauca (0.256gg^–1year^–1), primarily as a result of a greater total leaf area per above-ground biomass (LAR) in C. cuspidata (56cm²g^–1) as compared to Q. glauca (33cm²g^–1). Because it has a disadvantage in height gain, related to its allocation pattern of biomass, C. cuspidata realized the same height growth (RGR_H) as Q. glauca, despite the large biomass production. The great potential for photosynthesis in C. cuspidata, which results from its vigorous lateral spreading, is presumed to give it a long-term advantage over Q. glauca in the shaded forest understory. Q. glauca invests preferentially in trunk biomass, possibly giving it an advantage in sunny sites as opposed to a shaded forest understory.     

Influences of host age,sex ratio,population density,and photoperiod on parasitism by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma evanescens</Emphasis> Westw. (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Moth species Ephestia kuehniella and Sitotroga cerealella are serious pests in cereal-based food processing facilities and stores in Turkey. Control of these pests is undertaken by regular space treatment of infested areas with pesticides. An alternative control method could be the release of parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma. In laboratory tests, we use T. evanescens as a parasitic wasp reared on the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella. Adult wasps emerging from the host were maintained in glass tubes at 27±1° C, 60–70±5% r.h and L14:D10 and fed on honey solution. Adults of T. evanescens in vials without food enclosed from host eggs and all died within 1.8days; in comparison, in vials with honey, live adults were evident for 15.2days. Fresh (6–48h) and old (72–96h) host eggs were offered to T. evanescens and fresh eggs were more accepted than old. Host acceptance of females with males in vials was better than without males. The number of females in the vials also influenced the parasitization rate and single female parasitized more eggs. Adults living in light regime (L14:D10 and L6:D18) parasitized more eggs than in total darkness. Results are discussed with relation to enhancing parasitoid effectiveness in biological control in processing facilities and mills.     

Characteristic Raman bands for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artocarpus heterophyllus</Emphasis> heartwood

The Raman spectrum of Artocarpus heterophyllus heartwood, which proved to be a rich source of flavonoids, exhibited two characteristic bands, at 1247cm^–1 and 745cm^–1. The bands also appeared in the Raman spectrum of the yellow-brown needles extracted from the heartwood with methanol. Based on the Raman measurements of flavones and related compounds, it was predicted that the Raman band at 1247cm^–1 may be attributed to flavonoid-type compounds. No vibrational band corresponding to the characteristic Raman bands was observed by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Thus, it was suggested that observation of the characteristic bands is an advantage of Fourier transform-Raman spectroscopy for nondestructive analysis of wood.     

The composition and abundance of microarthropod communities on arboreal litter in the canopy of Cryptomeria japonica trees

In a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, we examined the composition and seasonal abundance of microarthropods in communities associated with habitat substrates in the canopy (defined as dead leaves, dead branches, and living leaves) and compared them with those in soil communities. Habitat substrates and microarthropods were periodically collected by the branch-clipping and washing method from the canopy and by the Tullgren method from the soil. Oribatida, Collembola, and larvae of the Chironomidae, most of which are detritivorous or fungivorous, were dominant in the canopy. The dominant oribatid and collembolan families differed markedly between the canopy and the soil. Numbers of all microarthropods per unit dry weight of leaf or per unit area of branch ranged from 4.2 to 11.7g^–1 dry wt on dead leaves, 0.13–0.48cm^–2 on dead branches, and 1.3–6.4g^–1 dry wt on living leaves. In the soil, the number of individuals per unit ground area ranged from 24000 to 220000m^–2. The total abundances of microarthropods on dead leaves and dead branches were almost constant throughout the year. These results suggest that the arboreal litter characteristic of C. japonica canopies is utilized consistently by large numbers of detritivorous and fungivorous microarthropods, and that the decomposition of dead foliage and branches is initiated in the canopy.     

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the growth and nutrition of hybrid poplars on Vancouver Island

The effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) rates, P source, and method of P application were tested on growth and nutrition of four clones of hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray×P. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh or P. trichocarpa×P. maximowiczii A. Henry) in a plantation on Vancouver Island. Treatments were applied shortly after planting. Nitrogen (0, 500kgNha^–1) was supplied as ammonium sulfate (AS); half of the AS was added at the start of the second growing season. Phosphorus (0, 100, 200kgPha^–1) was supplied as triple super phosphate (TSP), rock phosphate (RP), or diammonium phosphate (DAP) and banded or broadcast. Over four growing seasons, stem volumes increased with AS and P additions. The effects of AS and P each were greatest when the other was also added. Volume was greater when P was applied at 100kgha^–1 than in the P control and did not significantly increase further at 200kgPha^–1. Phosphorus additions were more effective when added as TSP or DAP than when added as RP, but only in P100 and when banded. Banding increased volume when P was applied at 200kgha^–1, but increases were significant only for DAP fertilized trees. Roto-tilling associated with the banding treatment also increased volume when AS and P were not added. Rankings of clones with respect to stem volume varied with N supply and changed over time.     

Biomass and net primary production of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> forest established on a lava flow of Mt. Fuji in central Japan

We assessed the above- and below-ground biomass and net primary production (NPP) in a mature (85-year-old) Pinus densiflora forest established on a lava surface of Mt. Fuji in central Japan. The nitrogen (N) concentration of the forest soil was low (1.25%), and the mean soil carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio was 34.2; therefore, both plants and microorganisms would compete for N in our research forest. The total biomass was 192.62Mgha^–1, of which 67.28% was in the stems and 25.71% was in the roots. The fine-root biomass was 1.12% of the total biomass. The total NPP of the forest reached 11.89Mgha^–1 year^–1, which fell within the values reported for other cool temperate P. densiflora forests established on non-volcanic-related substrata. The below-ground production was about 39% of the total NPP; the value was relatively small under the conditions of low total N concentration and high soil C/N ratio. Our study suggested that P. densiflora could recruit and grow on geologically new substrata without increasing the allocation of its annual carbon budget to below-ground organs (i.e., roots).     

Structure of cellulose microfibrils and the hydration effect in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>: a small-angle X-ray scattering study

The nanometer scale structure of cell walls in sugi wood (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and the hydration dependence were examined by the small angle X-ray scattering technique. Disk-shaped scattering patterns were observed for sugi wood. The radial average of two-dimensional data from the cross section could supply the scattering intensity with statistical accuracy much higher than that obtained from the sector average of the streak-shaped scattering pattern, and both the scattering intensities provided similar structural information. The scattering patterns from the cross section of the wood are characterized by rhombic or cross-shaped isointensity curves for the lower q region and by circularly symmetric isointensity curves for the higher q region. This shows that the disk-shaped scattering has two different kinds of scattering origins. The microfibril radii in the cell wall were determined by fitting the model scattering function of cylindrical fibrils to the scattering data. Values of 12.3 ± 0.3 and 12.2 ± 0.3 were obtained for the fibril radii of the neighboring earlywood and latewood, respectively, in dry specimens. A drastic structural change of the cell walls was detected with increasing water content from 40% to 100%. A low q rise in the scattering intensities below 0.1^–1 became weak and changed into a flat pattern, and the rhombic isointensity curves changed to cross-shaped patterns in the two-dimensional scattering from the cross section. The calculated radii R increased from 12.2 ± 0.3 to 13.3 ± 0.1.Part of this report was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, Japan, April 2002     

Rapid predictions of cold tolerance in Douglas-fir seedlings using chlorophyll fluorescence after freezing

Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were performed on the foliage of 3-year-old (11/2+11/2) nursery-grown Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings after exposure to controlled freezing temperatures, in the laboratory, to assess low temperature tolerance. The seedlings were propagated in an Irish nursery and lifted at monthly intervals overwinter 1999 and 1999–2000. Excised shoots from first-order laterals were frozen, in the dark. After freezing, needles were immediately assessed using chlorophyll fluorescence. The excised shoots were then maintained under controlled conditions for 14 days and visually assessed for needle damage. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameter, F _v/F _m, accurately predicted cold hardiness and was linearly related to visual needle damage and short-term survival. An equation was constructed using F _v/F _m data for determining the LT₅₀, that is, the freeze temperature causing 50% seedling damage. The predictions of F.LT₅₀ (fluorescence-based empirical determination of LT₅₀) have been tested over two seasons (i.e., against a second independent data set) with variability between 0 and 1.8°C of visual estimates, though predictions were often 1.1°C of the visual assessment. This approach provided a simple, rapid and accurate prediction of cold tolerance, under climatic conditions where in situ measurements are unreliable. The method can be used to predict if Douglas-fir seedlings have developed sufficient tolerance for lifting to the cold-store, or for planting.     

Water circulation, groundwater outflow and nutrient dynamics in Mida creek, Kenya

The relationship between physical hydrodynamic processes and nutrients dynamics was investigated in Mida creek, a groundwater influenced mangrovefringed creek in Kenya between March 1996 and May 1997. The research involved spot and timeseries measurement of nitrate–nitrite, ammonia, silicates, phosphates, salinity, temperature, sealevel as well as tidal currents at seven stations located in the front, middle and backwater zones of the creek. Groundwater level as well as total dissolved solids' concentration, salinity, temperature and nutrients' concentration were also measured once every month in shallow wells (watertable<5m) located in the upper region of the creek. Results of the study show that nutrient concentrations vary with the tide and that, though there is no river drainage, they are of the same magnitude as in mangrove creeks with substantial river runoff. The peak concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ –N (5.45M), NO ₂ –NO ₃ (5.63M), PO ₄ ^3– –P (0.58M) and SiO ₃ ^2– –Si (81.36M) in the creek occurred during flood tide, 2–3h before high waters. The (NO ₂ ^– + NO ₃ ^– )–N concentrations declined rapidly during ebb tide, reaching the minimum levels during low water. Contribution of groundwater seepage to the net nutrients flux (particularly on nitrite–nitrates) is largest in dry seasons. The study shows that groundwater outflow sustains the mangroves during periods of severe salinity stress and nutrients deficiency in dry seasons. This is essentially by limiting salinity increase and by boosting nutrient supply in dry seasons.     

Effects of a nursery CO2 enriched atmosphere on the germination and seedling morphology of two Mediterranean oaks with contrasting leaf habit

The use of an enriched CO₂ atmosphere in tree nurseries has been envisaged as a promising technique to increase productivity and to obtain seedlings with a higher root/shoot ratio, an essential trait to respond to water stress in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. In that framework, we have analyzed the effects of three levels of atmospheric CO₂ concentration (350, 500 and 700ppm) on the germination rate, growth and morphology of seedlings of two Mediterranean oaks used in reforestation programs: the evergreen Quercus ilex L. and the deciduous Quercus cerrioides Wilk. et Costa. CO₂ enrichment increased the germination rate of Q. cerrioides (from 70±7 to 81±3%) while it decreased that of Q. ilex (from 71±10 to 41±12%). Seedlings of both species increased approximately 60% their total biomass in response to CO₂ enrichment but at two different CO₂ concentrations: 500ppm for Q. cerrioides and 700ppm for Q. ilex. This increase in seedlings biomass was entirely due to an augmentation of root biomass. Considering germination and biomass partitioning, an enriched CO₂ atmosphere might not be appropriate for growing Mediterranean evergreen oaks, such as Q. ilex, since it reduces acorn germination and the only gains in root biomass occur at a high concentration (700ppm). On the other hand, a moderate CO₂ enrichment (500ppm) appears as a promising nursery technique to stimulate the germination, growth and root/shoot ratio of deciduous oaks, such as Q. cerrioides.     

Mangrove structure,litter and macroalgal productivity in a northern‐most forest of Florida

Rhizophora mangle L. dominated 10 overwash islands within Tampa Bay forming the northernmost mangrove forests on the west coast of Florida. The mean number of trees and basal area were 5040 trees ha^-1 and 20.5m²ha^-1, respectively. Basal areas ranged from 1.1 (Avicennia germinans (L.) Stern), to 2.6m²ha^-1 (Laguncularia racemosa Gaertner), to 16.8 (R. mangle). Cockroach Bay mangroves are small (5.8–7.0m tall) versus coastal forests of south Florida and the Caribbean. Total litter production for a 12 month period was maximal in September for fringing (7.4gdwtm^-2d^-1) and interior (8.7gdwtm^-2d^-1) areas with the two zones not being significantly different. Average litter fall (3.1gdwtm^-2d^-1) was similar to more tropical Caribbean mangals. Leaves accounted for 68 of the litter and reproductive material for 6, being similar to tropical riverine and overwash marine angiosperm communities on the Mexican coast. Although mangrove forests in Tampa Bay are small in stature and experience cold damage and occasional frosts, their litter fall is similar in biomass to that of more tropical mangals. However, their reproductive output is low based on litter fall versus more tropical mangals suggesting that the northern extension is less than optimum. Macroalgal diversity was low (10 species) as compared to Caribbean mangals. Macroalgal turf (0.8gCm^-2d^-1) and epiphyte communities of A.germinans pneumatophores (2.7gCm^-2d^-1) have productivity levels that are equal to or greater than those of Caribbean mangals.     

Canopy cover effects on nitrogen and phosphorus status in understory vegetation in oak and pine stands

The rate of change of leaf mass, N and P levels in understory vegetation at various levels of canopy cover were measured for 2 years following canopy cover manipulations in northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in northern Lower Michigan, USA. Canopy cover treatments consisted of clearcut, 25% (50% during first sampling year), 75%, and uncut. Leaf mass, and N and P contents were significantly higher in the clearcut treatment than in other canopy cover treatments, except for the 25% treatment in red pine stands. Leaf N concentrations in understory vegetation were also significantly higher in the clearcut (1991, 20.8mgg^–1; 1992, 22.4mgg^–1) than in the uncut treatment (1991, 16.5mgg^–1; 1992, 16.9mgg^–1). Canopy type (northern red oak and red pine) had little influence on understory nutrient status and leaf mass. In addition, fronds of bracken ferns in all canopy cover treatments in both northern red oak and pine stands were a major sink of nutrients in the understory. The results of this study showed that partial canopy removal generally had only a minor impact on understory leaf production and nutrient status compared with clearcuts during the 2-year period following canopy removal.